FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend's Main Event World Class Tasting At ARIA
FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend’s main event, the All-Star Tasting, dazzled guests at ARIA Resort & Casino inside CityCenter where they were treated to an array of culinary creations, served poolside, from some of the world’s hottest culinary stars on Saturday, October 22, 2011.
Chef Shawn McClain, Jean Georges, Masa Takayama and Julian Serrano
The doors opened at 7 p.m. as renowned chefs Julian Serrano, Masa Takayama, Michael Mina, Shawn McClain, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean-Philippe Maury and Pierre Gagnaire manned elegant booths that circled ARIA pool, ready to deliver tantalizing cuisine from their award-winning restaurants.
Bravo TV’s Top Chef alums Hosea Rosenberg, Sam Talbot, Stephanie Izard, Yigit Pura and Angelo Sosa also were eager to impress fan’s palates with delicious fare.
Gail Simmons On The Red Carpet
Hostess Gail Simmons was thrilled to be involved with the FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend for the second time, and ensured the crowd by declaring, “I can honestly say that I’m so excited to be back here in Las Vegas at the beautiful and luxurious ARIA & Bellagio Resorts.â€
She went on to invite the crowd to, “Eat, drink and live it up,†and guests wasted no time following her advice, taking the opportunity to get acquainted with the A-list culinary geniuses.
Foodies found themselves satiating their appetites with inventive new takes on classic comfort food such as Glazed Pork Belly from Shawn McClain’s Sage and Goat and Peanut Thai-style Stew being dished up by Top Chef Season Four Winner Stephanie Izard.
Michael Mina offered his signature Shrimp & Grits Skewers while Top Chef cheftestant Sam Talbot provided Fish Tacos with avocado and lime.
Extraordinary sweet creations were personally being served to guests by Top Chef Just Desserts Season One winner Yigit Pura who was all smiles as he gushed about his latest venture set to open in San Francisco in May 2012.
Gourmet food connoisseurs also made sure to enjoy luxurious booths BARMASA, Sirio Ristorante and Jean Georges Steakhouse. Serving Braised Short Ribs, Alaskan King Crab & Leek Salad and Truffle Cheese Fritters respectively, guests eagerly stood in line to experience the incredible cuisine and to get a glimpse of their favorite chef.
A relaxed setting amongst the lush landscape of the ARIA pool mixed with easy listening tracks by DJ R.O.B. provided an enjoyable, fun atmosphere for all.
FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend will come to an end tomorrow with a Champagne and Caviar Brunch, hosted by F&W Contributing Editor Anthony Giglio, at Jasmine inside Bellagio Las Vegas. Photo credit: Tom Donoghue
Bill Cody is an entertainment, technology and luxury travel reporter in Las Vegas. He reports on celebrities, events, tech, food, Las Vegas and luxury travel.